An Evaluation of Alternatives for Estuarine Restoration Management: The Herring River Ecosystem (Cape Cod National Seashore)
Roman CT. 1987. An Evaluation of Alternatives for Estuarine Restoration Management: The Herring River Ecosystem (Cape Cod National Seashore). Rutgers University. New Brunswick, NJ
The long history of diking, draining and impounding salt marsh-estuarine ecosystems for purposes of mosquito control, land reclamation, wildlife habitat enhancement and flood protection, is well-documented. These management practices often result in significant changes to a system's physical, chemical and ecological characteristics. The Herring River marsh-estuarine system in Wellfleet, Massachusetts, is part of Cape Cod National Seashore and represents a typical case whereby wetland functions and processes have been altered as a result of diking in the early 1900's. Major hydrological and vegetation changes, stream acidification, episodes of stream anoxia, fish kills, mosquito control problems and other ecological, physical and biochemical effects have all been attributed to the diking, and associated ditching and stream channelization of the Herring River (Portnoy 1983, 1984; Portnoy and Soukup 1982; Soukup and Portnoy 1986; Portnoy et al. 1987). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential hydrological, ecological and select socio-economic consequences associated with various management alternatives which may contribute to rehabilitation of the Herring River's ecological integrity. These management alternatives are primarily focused on manipulation of the sluice/tide gate structure existing near the mouth of the system. See "Executive Summary," pp. v-vi, for overview of study. Table of Contents include: Introduction. History of Tidal Restriction. Ecological Background (Vegetation Dynamics; Fauna). Tidal Height and Salinity Models. Expected Ecological and Environmental Changes with Restoration Management (Vegetation Patterns; Water Quality; Fishes, Macroinvertebrates and Waterbirds). Other Considerations with Restoration Management (Golf Course; Residential Dwellings; Seawater Intrusion; Mosquito Control). Recommendations for Restoration Management. Appendices (see note field).
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Roman, Charles
- Date of Issue
- 1987-10
- Publisher
- Rutgers University
- Units
- CACO
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Aquatic Sciences, Benthos, Birds, diking, Drainage, Ecology, Fish, Herring River, Hydrology, Infauna, Invertebrates, Management, Models, Plant Studies, Restoration, Salinity, Salt Marshes, Tides, Vegetation, Water Quality, Waterbirds, Wetlands